The terms "observation" and "report" (see below) indicate that everything you do in the journal should be typed and revised to ensure clarity. The word "journal," on the other hand, indicates that the writing done here is more reflective than for a paper proving a particular point; and that you will not be penalized for grammatical errors.

In the observation journal as a whole you will explore
connections between your observations among members of a local Buddhist
community, recorded as a local worship site, and related details encountered
in the assigned readings done throughout the term. The sequence and due
dates of these assignments are listed here, with links to the more detailed
instructions below and elsewhere.

In order to complete this
report, select one "scene" (i.e., a set of related
moments, or else two closely-related scenes) from the details you observed
and recorded during your site visit.
This scene should relate in some way to one or more
details in the assigned readings done so far (see # 3 below under "Primary
Tasks"). For
example, you might chose a moment in a worship ritual you observed that
reminds you of a practice your read about; an
image you saw at the site that reminds you of a deity or idea described
in a reading; or a person you observed or spoke with who reminded
you of some person or role mentioned in a reading. [read
more...]

Ingredients:

Recount your visit, by first providing (in no more than
2 sentences) the essential information about your site.
Then, describe concisely the visual, verbal, and other sensory details
of what happened during your chosen scene(s) (single-spaced and offset from the main body of your prose), summarizing
the sequence of what preceeded and followed it, including
informal interactions. Finally, reflect briefly on the way that
your own upbringing, as well as other previous experience,
influenced what your attention was most drawn to and what you thought
about during the visit. [read
more...] [View sample site
observation.]

Complete both pages of the "Site Vist Analysis"
form reviewed in class & available for download
(PDF/ MS Word), which asks you to relate the details of your visit to some primary
source(s) from Units 1 or 2 of the course.

When you have
finished at least a draft of the items above,create a diagram, doodle,
or concept map that in some way illustrates the connection between what you
observed (including your own perspective as an observer), details from the reading
mentioned in #2 & 3, and comparison of your first site visits. [read
more...]

Other Requirements:

350-500 words double-spaced type for #1 (exact count indicated at
TOP OF FIRST PAGE), with pages numbered & stapled or paper-clipped

handwritten or typed responses for #2, making sure not to exceed two pages

Extra Credit:
up to five points of extra credit may be given for any report that reflects thorough reading of one of the optional primary sources listed in the schedule of readings. Make
sure to hand-write "PLEASE CONSIDER FOR EXTRA CREDIT" at the top
of your paper if you wish you report to be considered.

As a follow-up to your site visit, you should EITHER (A) return to the same
site to observe a different event OR (B) conduct an interview with a member of the site's community. Your
follow-up report should then both describe the second visit
or interview and compare that description to the details
of the initial site visit report. If
you chose to visit the site again, you should once again select one or two
"scenes" to highlight in your report; if you chose the
interview, select two or three key
moments from the interview, including at least
two direct quotations of 2-4 sentences each, that relate to some detail(s)
in the assigned readings. [read
more...]

A.Ingredients (Second Visit):

Recount your second visit using the same format
as before, highlighting some important scene(s) and selectively
summarizing the rest in sequence (see #1 under "Site Visit Report"
above). However, you should also compare & contrast what you observed this time with details of your initial site visit, noting
especially any changes in the what your attention was drawn to
and what you thought about. [read
more]

As before, complete both pages of the "Site Vist Analysis"
form, distributed in class and available for download
(PDF/ MS Word)but now relate the details of your visit to some primary
source(s) from Units 3 or 4 of the course; but note that this form also asks you to compare your insights to those described on the first "Site Visit Analysis." If you did well on the first one, you may choose
to write your own prose analysis that addresses everything requested on
the form.

As before, when you have
finished at least a draft of the items above,create a diagram, doodle,
or concept map that in some way illustrates the connection between what you
observed (including your own perspective as an observer), details from the reading
mentioned in #2 & 3, and comparison of your first site visits. [read
more...]

B. Ingredients (Interview):

As with the site visit report, recount your interview
by first providing (in no more than 2 sentences) the essential
information about your interviewee & your meeting with her
or him. Then describe concisely the quotations and non-verbal
details of your two or three chosen moments (single-spaced and offset from the main body of your prose), summarizing
the sequence of what preceeded and followed each, including your own questions
and comments. Finally, reflect briefly on the way that your own upbringing,
as well as other previous experience, influenced your choice of questions
and what you thought about your interviewee's responses.

Since this is a follow up report, you should also note any changes
in what you thought about when exposed to the tradition of your
interviewee, in comparison to your earlier visit to the related site.
[read more...] [View sample interview report]

Complete both pages of the "Interview Analysis"
handout distributed in class and available download
(PDF/ MS Word), which asks you to relate the details of your interview to some primary
source(s) from Units 3 or 4 of the course; but note that this form also asks you to compare your insights to those described on the "Site Visit Analysis" you handed in earlier in the term.

As before, when you have finished at least a draft of
the items above, create a diagram, doodle, or concept map that in some way illustrates the connection between what you learned from
your interviewee (including your own perspective as an interviewer), details
from the reading mentioned in #2 & 3, and comparison of your
site visit. [read
more...]

Other Requirements:

350-500 words double-spaced type for #1 (exact count indicated at
TOP OF FIRST PAGE), with pages numbered & stapled or paper-clipped

handwritten or typed responses for #2, making sure not to exceed two pages

hand-written self-assessment & name on BACK of #3 ONLY

attach Site Visit Report for reference

DUE: beginning of class Wednesday,
December 14, with SITE VISIT REPORT clipped to it

Extra Credit: as with the site report, up to five points of extra credit may be given
for any report that reflects thorough reading of one of the optional
primary sources listed in the schedule of readings. Again,
make sure to hand-write "PLEASE CONSIDER FOR EXTRA CREDIT" at the top
of your paper if you wish you report to be considered.

Like the Mini-Midterms,
the take-home Final Exam asks to you relate key terms to one another
and to provide citations from the readings to show that you understand
those terms. In this case, however, you will select five terms
yourself and relate them your own observations made
during the site visit(s) and/or interview; the excerpts you use to illustrate
the terms will be drawn from those observations rather than from assigned
primary sources for the course.

Instructions:

Choose the five terms or names assigned
for RPTs #1-4 that most clearly relate to the
observations presented in your site visit and follow-up reports. (CAUTION:
do not use terms assigned for the trial RPT given at the very beginning
of the term, as these are too general to provide the specificity needed
for a focused analysis.)

Then complete
the "Final Exam"
form available for download (PDF/MS
Word), which asks you to relate the five terms to one another, and
to the rituals &/or customs you observed during site visit(s) and/or
heard about during your interview; and then to relate each term to the
observations detailed in your two reports.

Other Requirements:

neatly handwritten or typed responses

make sure NOT TO EXCEED THREE (3) PAGES

name on BACK of LAST PAGE
ONLY

DUE @ MND 2016 on Tuesday, May
21 (10 am-12 pm, 2-4:30 pm)

**IN CASE OF LOSS, KEEP TWO (2) ELECTRONIC COPIES
**

Extra Credit: as with
the site report, up to five points of extra credit may be given for any
report that reflects thorough reading of one of the optional primary
sources listed in the schedule of readings. Again, make sure to
hand-write "PLEASE CONSIDER FOR EXTRA CREDIT" at the top of your
paper if you wish you report to be considered.